Endoscopic Clinical Research In Pancreatic And Biliary Diseases (R03)

The Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition (DDDN) of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and the Division of Cancer Prevention of the National Cancer Institute encourage innovative clinical and epidemiological research into the role of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and other endoscopic and imaging techniques. Acute and chronic pancreatic and biliary diseases are common in the United States and account for considerable morbidity, mortality and health care costs. The spectrum of conditions includes those due to cancer of the exocrine and endocrine pancreas, gallstones, sludge, pancreatic and biliary malignancy, trauma, anatomic problems (pancreas divisum), alcohol and drugs and idiopathic syndromes such as idiopathic pancreatitis and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. The recently held National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference Statement on ERCP indicated that while ERCP and other advanced endoscopic and imaging techniques have gained widespread application in clinical practice, there is little evidence based on rigorous clinical trials to guide the use of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic technologies in clinical practice decisions. The small grants (R03) may be used as planning grants for full-scale multi-center clinical trials or for pilot studies that could lead to full-scale multi-center clinical trials designed to provide evidence for or against changes in the current standard of care. Pilot epidemiological studies are encouraged that could lead to more extended research that would provide evidence for or against changes in health policy, especially as related to disease and cancer prevention. It is expected that these R03 grants will serve as a basis for planning future multi-center research project grant applications (R01) or cooperative agreement (U01) awards. New and experienced investigators in relevant fields and disciplines may apply for these small grants. Investigators are encouraged to take advantage of recent endoscopic and laboratory developments. In addition, the small grant is a good mechanism for new and experienced investigators to become better equipped to perform clinical and epidemiological research.